Heating device



a. MENGERQ HEATING DEVICE. APPLICATION man Aue.12. 19m.

1 ,406,204, Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

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G. MENGER.

HEATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION map AUG.I2, 1913. 1,406,204, Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

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iinirsn stares PATENT ()FFIQE.

GEORGE MENGER, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

HEATING DEVICE.

Application filed August 12, 1918.,

To all whom itmcy concern.

lie it known that l, Gnouen Mnxonn, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the village of Oak Park, in the county of Cool: and State of lllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to heating devices, with more particular reference to such as have a fire box for burning coal or the like. its object is to develop from the fuel a relatively large amount of heat,- and, in such devices as heaters and furnaces for warming the interiors of residence build: ings, to provide the desired quantity of heat, and in substantially constant amount, with a relatively small consumption of fuel, and also to avoid the necessity for frequent charging of or other attention to the heating device; and. thus, in general, to provide a highly advantageous device in service, and one which is of simple construction. Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

in the accompanying irawings, which form a part of this specification, I have illustrated these in'iprovements as applied to a heater for a hot water system, and in a form well adapted for use in furnaces and heaters of the general type shown, whether for heating air or water or for making st inthese drawings, Figure l is a medial, vertical section through the heater complete, except for the bottom portion which is shown in full view Figs. 2 and. 3 are horizontal sections on the respective lines 2-2 and 33 of Fig. 1 viewed in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. l is an enlarged face view of an air inlet valve as on the section line i s of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side View of a fragmentary detail of the automatic outlet valve, with associated parts in section.

The furnace illustrated is composed of several sections, A, B and (Lin accordance with well known general practice as to seetional construction. Section A comprises a top wall 10 and side walls 11, forming a fire box containing the grate 12 above the ash pit and air supply chamber 13, suitable doors i l and 15 being provided fo T the usual fire box and ash pit openings respectively. The fire box walls 10 and 11 are water jacketed in the usual way.

Specification of Letters Patent,

Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

Serial No. 249,428.

' The only departure from what is old and well known in section A is in the provision of the flue walls 17 providing the passageway 18 extending downwardly into the fire box from the top wall 10 thereof, and the parts. associated with that flue. This fine 18 is preferably open at its bottom, and its lower end extends to a region below the top surface of the fuel normally within the fire box, which top surface is roughly indicated by the line 19. The flue 18 is preferably defined by double walls with a water space between them, as illustrated, in order that the effect of the intense heat at the bottom and within the fine 18 may be had directly upon the circulating water to be heated. forms of device this flue may consist merely of a pipe-like structure of cast iron, reinforced fire clay, or crucible material, with solid walls. The fine 18 is preferably located, in a furnace of the type illustrated, closely adjacent to the wall opposite the fire door, as ll, and with fuel space on more than one side of the flue, whereby the fuel may be easily distributed throughout the fire box from a single door. The downwardly extending walls of the flue 18 are preferably cast integral with the top wall 10 and may merge into the side wall of the fire box as shown. The flue walls 17 are shown as having openings, as 20, leading therethreugh, but such openings are not essential where the flue 18 is open at its bot tom. The essential feature in this respect is in a fine extending downwardly within the fire box and opening into the firebox below the surface of the fuel normally therein.

Elections B and C of the furnace provide a main heating chamber within which is a continuation of the fiue 1.8, and each section B and C is also provided with a direct fine 22, preferably centrally arranged in the form of device shown, there being a registering opening in the top wall 10 of the fire box whereby a second passageway 22 leads from the fire box at a place normally above the fuel therein to a chamber communicating with a region outside the device. These sections B and C are preferably of cast iron, in the-form of device shown, the walls being double for the most part to provide water space between them according to well known practice. These sections differ from prior practice in providing a direct passage-way 22 as well as a long and wind- In some lOO ing passageway 23 (in section B) and 24: (in section C).

The flue 18 opens into the passageway 23 at 25 (Fig. 1), and the passageway 23 opens into the passageway 24 at 26 (Fig. 2), the passageway 24 opening into the chamber 27 through the opening 28. The gases leaving the flue 18 therefore pass in a circuitous manner around the shorter central passageway 22 until they are finally discharged, their travel being over a relatively large surface of the water jacketed walls. A. feature of advantage is in the provision of a channel 182324 so arranged that the heated gases impinge directly against the walls to be heated at several places in their course of travel. Thus the gases emerging from the flue 18 strike directly the wall of the flue 23 immediately above the fine 18, then continue circuitously until they impinge the wall 300 (Fig. 3), then turn substantially at right angles and impinge directly against the inner upper wall of the The burning gases are thus directed positively against some of the walls and these wall portions naturally absorb more heat and communicate it to the fluid to be heated than would be the case if the pas sageway were continuous and without such interruptions of direction. The passageway 23-24; constitutes a relatively long and narrow circuitous combustion chamber for gases from the flue 18, effecting complete or substantially complete combustion ofthese gases within the main heating chamber of the device.

A plate-like closure 30 overlies the top of the central passageway 22 and constitutes a valve or damper for controlling the passage of the gases of combustion through this avenue of discharge. It is hinged at 31 independently of the bell crank 32 whereby should the pressure of gas within the fire box become sin'llcient the valve 30 will be lifted a ay from the lower arm of the bell crank and the pressure automatically relieved. The valve 30 may also be operated by and through the medium of the bell crank 32, link 33, red 3a, and operating lever 35, and its open position maintained through the rack 36 and pawl 37.

lVith this understanding-of the arrangement of parts the method of operation and its attendant advantages may be pointed out. lV hen fire is started in the device the valve 30 is operated through the lever 35 so as to open the passageway 22 into the chamber 27 and thence to the stack. A direct draft to the stack is thus induced and the combustion within the fire box takes place after the manner of that in the ordinary stove or furnace having a direct draft. he combustion is not even approximately complete with such a draft, as is indicated in part by considerable quantities of smoke. I find such a direct draft important, however in order to get the fire well started so as to bring promptly into operation the primary fine 18-23-24;, and it is advantageous also in quickening the fire should it be allowed to die out to a considerable extent. This direct passageway 22 and the valve 30 are further important in providing for the escape of combustiblegases which would be likely to explode under some conditions as when the fire door is opened. The valve 30 should therefore be lifted before the fire door is opened when the device is in use. The passageway 22 further acts as a chamber adapted to receive heat from the fire box, which heat is conveyed to the water acketed walls defining this passage.

lVhen the fire is well started a considerable quantity of fuel may be thrown into the fire box, even up to the crown sheet 10, and encompassing well the lower portion of the flue 18 so that the opening or openings into this flue are well beneath the top surface of the fuel, At this time the valve 30 is closed thus preventing the gases of combustion from escaping by the direct passageway 22 and preventing all direct draft from the fire box. The only escape then for the gases of combustion is the passageway 182324 and chamber 27, and from all portions of the fire box the gases move toward the opening or openings into the passageway 18. The air for combustion passes through the grate 12 or through the slide valve 16 in the fire door and combines with the fuel causing partial combustion and the liberation of considerable quantities of gases susceptible of oxidation.

When the fire box is well filled with coal the region of most intense combustion is from a substantially horizontal plane an inch or so above the lower endof the flue 18 downward to the grate or to the ashes which may be on the grate. This region becomes quite hot and the fuel there burns with great intensity when air is supplied either through the grate or from above the grate. Around the lower end of the flue 18, how ever, there is a region of still greater intensity of mombustion, and this smaller region becomes white hot.

My theory of the operation is that throughout the fire box, while considerable quantities of carbon dioxide gas are formed, there are other large quantities of carbon monoxide and other combustible gases liberated, and since there is an increased draft to the flue 18 around the lower portions of the flue through the convergence to that region of gases from all other regions of the fire box the fuel there becomes intensely hot through the more complete combustion there pro duced, which greater heat results in the OX- idation of the cobustible gases passing therethrough, and that thus not only substantially all of the heat generated throughout the fire box but also the heat of the additional combustion of oxidizable gases passes into the line 18. I am thus able to obtain substantially complete combustion of all of the com bustible elements in or from the coal or similar fuel while being burned. Owing to the intensity of the heat of these burning gases, inducing their high velocity, it is possible to conduct them through the circuitous channels 23 and 24, and thus maintain the hot gases for a relatively great distance in association With the fluid (water in the device illustrated) in the main heating chamber which it is desired to heat. I find in practice that the flames originating in the flue 18 willextend substantially throughout the passageway 23 and sometimes into the passageway 24, the flames being greater with soft than with hard coal, the result being a continuous application of intense heat throughout the length of the passageway lit-23 24, In this connection a further advantage is in the provision of the chamber 27 overlying a portion of the water jacketed top of the section C whereby this area is maintained heated to some extent by the gases of combustion passing through the chamber 27 to the stack.

Additional sections, such as 13, could be interposed to provide a greater heating surface, or the section B could .be removed in case it might be desired to construct a heater having less height, but, naturally with a sacrifice of some efficiency.

In this connection it may be pointed out that owing to the high velocity of the burning gases considerably less chimney area and height will suflice than are ordinarily required.

The device thus far described is practical and highly eflicient and provides very notable advantages over a heating device having merely a direct draft, for instance such as would be provided by the passage-way 22, the valve'30 being considered open. The efficiency of the device, however, is increased by the admission of an additional supply of air in the vicinity of the lower end of the fine 18 whereby a supply of oxygen is readily available to the oxidizable gases in this region of high temperature. I provide such a supply of air in regulable quantities through the pipe 36 passing through the outer wall of the fire box and opening into the flue 18, a simple form of well-known disc valve 37, shown in face view in Fig. 4, being adapted to admit more or less air as desired.

Instead of supplying oxygen by means of air, as through the pipe 36, or in conjunction with such air, I may provide also a small amount of water near the lower end of the flue 18, and have shown such a sourceof water supply in the pipe 40 having a valve 41, the pipe 40 acting as a bearing for the disc valve 37, The steam -enerated by such water reacts with the red hot particles of carbon which may be passing through the fines 18 and 23, or which may find lodgment upon the walls, and form other combustible gases within the flue.

I find it advantageous also to provide within the flue 18 a secondary flue 42, made preterably of heavy cast iron, lire clay or crucible material adapted to withstand great heat. The element 42 is preferably tubular with a flare downwardly and with openings through its walls whereby the interior of the element 42 is in free communication with the exterior thereof. This element 42 is shown as suspended by several overhanging lugs 44 upon the metallic structure of the flue 18. it. will. be noted that both the air and water supplies through the pipes 36 and 40 respectively enter the interior of the element 42. The functions of this interior member 42 are various. It acts as a mixer for the air or water vapor or both with the com bustible gases passing through the flue 18. It also provides a mass of material capable of becoming intensely heated and tending to maintain the entire area within the flue 18 so heated. A considerable portion of the gases of combustion will pass through the element 42 directly into the passage-way 23, while other portions will pass into the chamber 23 outside this element 42 through comparatively narrow spaces, Forcing the gases into contact with the walls of the flue. The tendency of the water-jacketed walls 17 of the flue 18 is to cool the gases passing by the same while the heat of the gases passing through the tubular structure 42 maintains that structure substantially in a state oi white incandescence and contributes to the maintenance of the heat of the gases passing adjacent to the walls 17. Furthermore. jets of these burning gases play upon the inner wall of the structure 17 through the openings 43. The presence of such a. mass of heated material, as the element 42, acts in the nature of an equalizer of? temperature within the flue l8, and without the loss of any heat units, since ultimately all of the heat collected by it is radiated to the surfaces which are designed to receive the heat.

In practice, I find that I may supply air to the body of the fuel within the fire box either from beneath the grate or from above the fuel. as through the door 14, or preferably through the air slide valve 46, or both from below and from above the fuel at the same time. I find that in. the present form of device cheap and dusty coal which is practically useless in other small furnaces, will, burn quite satisfactorily and with practically no attention but to: maintain a supply in the fire box and to remove the ashes. A feature of great advantage is in the fact that practically any kind of coal,

and in all sizes commonly produced for household use is adapted for use in a househeating furnace of this" kind.

Persons skilled in the art will. be able readily to constructthe heater illustrated, according to man u'i acturing practices aind materials well known for such purposes. These drawings may be followed closely for proportions and arrangeme ts of parts, but the invention is not limited to the construction or arrangement shown.

claim:

1.. A. heating device comprising walls iorming a fire box for burning coal or the like, a grate in the lower part of the fire box for supporting the fuel, means for supplying air to the fuel, walls forming an open-ended flue tor the gases of combustion extending downwardly within the fire box to a region below the top surface of the fuel normally in the fire box, walls forming a continuation of said flue to the exterior oi? the heater, and a mass of heat absorbing material within said fine and near the lower opening thereof.

2. A heating device comprising walls forming a fire box for burning coal or the like, means in the lower part of the fire box for supporting the fuel, means for supplying air to the fuel, walls forming an open-ended flue for the gases 0% combustion extending downwardly within the lire box to a region below the top surface of the fuel normally in the fire box and extending to a place outside the fire box, and a pipe-like element of heat absorbing mate rial within said flue at the lower portion thereof, said pipe-like element being open at its lower end and containing passages through its walls.

8. A. heating device for burning coal or the like comprising walls forming a fire box, a. grate in the lower part of said fire box for supporting the fuel, means for supplying air to the fuel, walls forming a passage-way for the gases of combustion extending downwardly within the fire box to a region below the top surface of the fuel normally within the fire box, said passageway extending to a region outside the fire box, walls forming a second passageway opening into said fire box for the gases of combustion, and a valve for controlling the passage of gases through said second passageway.

4. A heating device for burning coal or the like comprising valls forming afire box, a grate in the lower part of said fire box for supporting the fuel, means for supplyair to the fuel, walls forming a passageway for the gases of combustion extending downwardly within the fire box to a region below the top surface of the fuel normally within the fire box, said passage-way. extending to a region outside the fire box. walls forming a second passageway opening into aid fire box for the gases of combustion, and a pressure-operated escape valve for controlling the passage of gases through said second passageway.

A heating device for burning coal or the like comprising walls forming a fire box, means in the lower part of said fire box for supporting the fuel, means for supplying air to the fuel, walls forming a passage-way for the gases of combustion extending downwardly within the fire box to a region below the top surface of the fuel normally within the fire box, walls forming a heat collecting chamber above the fire box, the walls of said passageway :t'orming a continuous channel-like structure extending within said chamber and to a re gion outside said chamber, there being an opening in a wall of the fire box above the top surface of the fuel normally therein, walls extending from said opening forming a second passage for the gases of combustion, and valve means for controlling the fiow of gases through said second passageway.

GEORGE MENGER. 

